San Francisco filmmaker Danielle Beverly brought her documentary “Learning to Swallow” to Sweet Briar College on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The screening was part of the Southern Circuit Film Series, an independent film showcase sponsored by the Southern Arts Federation.

Beverly was quite impressed with the students and campus. On Federation’s Web site, Beverly posted the following blog entry:

“Sweet Briar College is just that – extremely sweet in every way. It is a women’s liberal arts college in [Virginia] that even has an equestrian studies component. It has one of the most lovely campuses I have ever seen. And one of the tiniest too! As I walked up the hill to the library before my screening, a mama deer and two fawns romped just 30 feet from me.

Filmmaker Danielle Beverly brought her film, "Learning to Swallow" to Sweet Briar on Sept. 19.
“Prior to the screening, professor Eleanor Salotto arranged a dinner with 10 very earnest and intelligent students. It was easy to break the ice because one young lady was dressed as Johnny Depp from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' – a very strange sight to be certain! I said “I hope you don't think I directed that movie, since I only make documentaries.”

Turns out it was homecoming week at the school and Tuesday was 'Dress as a Celebrity Day.' The young ladies had thoughtful and probing questions. One asked if LA was beginning to overshadow NYC as a hub for documentary. I had to admit that I think it is unfortunately (sorry friends in LA). It was an incredible joy to connect with these students and hopefully inspire some future documentary makers.

“My favorite moment by far was when Louis Sandidge, the 60ish man who drove me from the airport actually came to my screening! He and I had really hit it off so I invited him to attend. It was a cool (and I bet rare) thing to have a man sit in the lecture hall with 35 twentysomething-aged young ladies. Several students from nearby Randolph-Macon Women’s College also made a trek out for the film.

“Sweet Briar’s motto is ‘Think is for Girls.’ I nabbed one of their posters for my 11-year-old niece.”